Wine Facts Online: Kinds of Wine: Wine By Region: Europe: France: Burgundy: Cote de Beaune Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Subregions The base AOC of the Côte de Beaune is, in a confusing, distinctly Burgundian way, not Côte de Beaune AOC. Côte de Beaune AOC is in fact a small, almost irrelevant AOC for a tiny area of vineyards high on the slope. The real basic AOC is called Côte de Beaune-Villages, and it contains most good Côte de Beaune that doesn't fall under a particular village AOC. Keep in mind that only red wine is made in this appellation. Also look for values from Bourgogne Hautes-Côte de Beaune, an appellation for the wine made from the other side of the slope. This is rarely outstanding stuff but can provide good deals. Négociants tend to dominate production for both of these appellations. Buyers with more money and ambition tend to look towards a higher level of appellation; either a village or Premier or Grand Cru will usually be what appeals to them.

Aloxe-Corton : This area, encompassing the communes of Aloxe-Corton and Ladoix-Serrigny is most known for its Grand Cru vineyards Corton, Corton-Charlemagne, and to a lesser extent Charlemagne. However, these Grand Crus span into other areas, so they are covered under "Corton areas"--the Corton and Corton-Charlemagne vineyards, as well as the lesser-known Charlemagne. Aloxe-Corton village wine, white and red, is also remarkable, and the area has 13 Premiers Crus. Auxey-Duresses : Auxey-Duresses is very close to Meursault, and as a result is mostly known for its less famous Meursault-style wines. It has nine Premiers Crus. Beaune : Beaune is a large town, which should not be confused with the Côte de Beaune itself. There are no Grand Crus, but a whopping 42 Premiers Crus in the village. Mostly red wine. Blagny : Blagny's exclusively red wine is not very well-known.

The actual AOC wine is produced in Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet, but has its own name to avoid confusion with the better-known whites. Seven Premiers Crus are designated. Chorey-les-Beaune : Produced entirely in the two-square-mile commune of the same name, Chorey-les-Beaune's wine is mostly red; there are no Premiers Crus. Corton areas : Visit this page for an explanation of Corton, Corton-Charlemagne, and Charlemagne, which are three very complicated Grand Crus for red and white wine shared between Aloxe-Corton and Pernand-Vergelesses, and to a lesser extent some of Ladoix-Serrigny. Like Montrachet's areas, we group the Corton areas into a single category to make it more understandable. Charlemagne : An uncommon Grand Cru. Corton : Fruity but very complex red wines; this is the only Côte de Beaune Grand Cru vineyard producing red wine. Corton-Charlemagne : Although it isn't far from Corton itself, Corton-Charlemagne produces almost only rich, filling white wines.

Ladoix : Less expensive, less well known AOC makes wine produced solely in the village of Ladoix-Serrigny. There are 11 Premiers Crus. Maranges : Maranges, which is produced in three communes, is a good affordable area for both red and white wine. Total seven Premiers Crus. Meursault : Famous for its rich, buttery, layered Chardonnays, Meursault has built a great high-quality reputation for itself without any Grand Cru vineyards. The 19 Premiers Crus produce mainly rich, buttery, very oak-influenced Chardonnay white wine. Monthelie : Monthelie is near Meursault; it has about 15 Premiers Crus making mostly red wines. Montrachet areas : Wine from these areas is often considered the best dry white wine in the world. The rich, complex Chardonnay comes from vineyards in either Chassagne-Montrachet or Puligny-Montrachet; if a Grand Cru, it will be labeled Bâtard-Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet, or Montrachet itself.

Bâtard-Montrachet : Bâtard-Montrachet is a vineyard producing only white wine from 100% Chardonnay. Its vineyard straddles Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet, the two actual communes of the Montrachet areas. Intense, well-fruited and well-balanced, the wines can also be labeled as Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet and Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet. Chassagne-Montrachet : Chassagne-Montrachet is an actual commune with "shares" of both Bâtard-Montrachet and Montrachet itself. The village wine produced is also of a high standard, produced in both the communes of Chassagne-Montrachet and Remigny. Chevalier-Montrachet : Chevalier-Montrachet has the highest altitude of any of the five Montrachet Grands Crus, making slightly less approachable wine from mostly the same production techniques and styles as its neighbors.

Montrachet : Montrachet itself makes some of the most famous white Grand Cru Burgundy, often entirely worth the high entitlement it is afforded. Whether it is worth the outrageous prices commanded is a different question, but no one can deny the power of Montrachet's subtle and elegant yet powerful and rich Chardonnays. Puligny-Montrachet : In addition to containing some of the Grand Cru vineyards Bâtard-Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet, and Montrachet itself, Puligny-Montrachet grows its own village wine, much of which is of a high level of quality. Pernand-Vergelesses : A village AOC for red wine that comes close to its only partially owned Grand Cru, Corton, in quality despite having only eight Premiers Crus. Pommard : Considering the respect afforded Pommard in Pinot Noir circles all around the world, it is surprising that the area has no Grands Crus. Several of the 27 Premiers Crus are close to Grand Cru in quality, and all make wine of notorious power and richness.

St-Aubin : Close to the Montrachet areas, St-Aubin is a source of affordable Burgundy, both white and red. There are 20 Premiers Crus. St-Romain : Affordable wine is made here, though there are no Premiers or Grands Crus. Santenay : Santenay wine is produced in the towns of Santenay and Remigny. Mostly reds from the 12 Premiers Crus. Savigny-lès-Beaune : The huge 14-square-mile appellation of Savigny-lès-Beaune produces both red and white styles. There are 22 Premiers Crus, several of which have become notorious for their red wine. Volnay : Another red wine village in the Côte de Beaune, Volnay can be on a par with its rivals Pommard and the Grand Cru Corton. These are some of the most elegant, delicate red wines in Burgundy; there are 28 Premiers Crus from which to choose. Copyright 2009.

Wines of France, part 2 Wines of France, Part 2 "I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy."  Tom Waits MAJOR WINE AREAS France French wines lead the world in quality. The area adjacent to the port of Bordeaux is the home of the widely planted "noble" vine, the Cabernet Sauvignon, which, with other related varieties, principally Cabernet Franc and Merlot, produces such famous red wines as the châteaux Lafite-Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, and Mouton-Rothschild in the Médoc district; Haut-Brion from the Graves; Cheval-Blanc and Ausone in Saint Emilion; and Petrus in Pomerol. Equally renowned is Château d'Yquem, a luscious white wine produced in Sauternes from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes. A large number of other châteaux produce a vast quantity of red and white wine of middle and lesser quality. Burgundy is a smaller region but produces many famous wines from two related grape varieties: Pinot Noir for reds and Chardonnay for whites.

The best reds come from the Côte d'Or, a narrow strip of hilly land that follows the course of the Saône River and extends roughly from Dijon for 60 km (37 mi) south to Chagny, a town 20 km (12 mi) to the south of Beaune, the municipal heart of the Burgundian wine trade. The Côte d'Or is traditionally divided between the stronger, heartier red wines of the Côte de Nuits, such as Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée, and Nuits-Saint-Georges, and the more delicate reds of the Côte de Beaune, such as Beaune, Pommard, and Volnay. Of equal standing are the dry white Burgundies: Chablis from the north; and Corton-Charlemagne, the Montrachets, and the Meursaults from the southern part of the Côte d'Or.

Southern Burgundy has extensive vineyards producing good red wines of lesser quality: Macon Rouge, Mercurey, and Beaujolais from the Gamay grape, plus dry whites, including the currently popular and overpriced Pouilly-Fuissé. The Champagne region in northern France produces indisputably the best sparkling wine in the world. Other good sparkling wines are produced in the Loire, Burgundy, and Savoie. The Rhône valley produces excellent full-bodied reds such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côte Rotie, and Hermitage; rare and subtle whites such as Condrieu and Château Grillet; and the most renowned rosé, Tavel. Alsace, in the Rhine valley to the east, produces consistently good quality white wines named for the grape variety: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Sylvaner, and others. The Loire valley, in west central France, produces excellent, light, and refreshing white wines such as Sancerre and Muscadet; the well-known rosé d'Anjou; and the minor reds Chinon and Bourgeuil.

The Midi and Provence regions in the south of France produce a great deal of ordinary wine, as well as some aperitif and dessert wines and popular rosés. United States Although wine is made in no fewer than 34 states, only California wines can be said to rival those of France. French wines are usually named by the region, town, or vineyard where they are produced, and, occasionally, by a generic name (Beaujolais). California wines, on the other hand, are often named for the principal grape variety used in making the wine. The finest California red wines are made from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. Others include the Pinot Noir, Grenache (a rosé grape), Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah. Fine whites are led by the Chardonnay, by Pinot Blanc, and by some late-harvested Rieslings. Wines from the Chenin Blanc and Semillon grapes are not in the same class. The finest wines are made in the Napa and Sonoma valleys north of San Francisco, in nearby Sonoma and Mendocino counties, and in an expanding grape-growing area to the south of San Francisco Bay as far as Monterey.

Mass-produced table and dessert wines come mainly from the Central Valley. WINE MAKING The quality and quantity of grapes depend on geographical, geological, and climatic conditions in the vineyards, and on the grape variety and methods of cultivation. Some of these factors may be governed by local laws. Harvesting The crop is harvested in the autumn when the grapes contain the optimum balance of sugar and acidity. For the sweet white wines of Bordeaux and Germany, picking is delayed until the grapes are affected by a beneficial mold, Botrytis cinerea, which concentrates the juice by dehydration. Burgundy Travel | French Travel Connection View Cruising » Burgundy Region Travel The Burgundy region is known for producing the world-famous red and white wines. Renowned wines such as Chablis, Beaune, Macon and Nuits-Sain-Georges are produced in Burgundy. The region has numerous historical town and villages that you can explore during your Burgundy travel. Visit Beaune, a town located in central Burgundy between Dijon and Autun. It is known for producing wine of the same name and Hospices de Beaune.

Hospices de Beaune or Hotel Dieu is a fomer hopistal for the poor that has been preserved. You can also follow the Burgundy wine route between Beaune and Dijon, visiting the famous Burgundy vineyards such as Nuits-Saint-Georges. Explore Dijon, a modern city with plenty of historic monuments such as the Duke's Palace. Contact the French Travel Connection team today to book your Burgundy accommodation, package or tour. Newsletter Interfrance: Burgundy Wine Region, Cote de Beaune and Cote de Nuits wine tour Click on image for larger view COTE DE NUITS REGION The vineyards begin just south of Dijon, rising from the plains onto east-facing slopes and continue in a sweep of vines until a few miles south of the town of Nuits-Saint-Georges. The vineyards benefit from the best soils within Burgundy, consisting of marlstone and limestone. This is the kingdom of the Pinot Noir grape. It acts as a sponge, absorbing the influences of the soil, the weather, and the barrel. Styles vary from village to village but, in general, these reds are medium bodied, elegant and lush.

The district appellation Côte de Nuits-Villages is used primarily by lesser-known communes high up on the plateau behind the renowned slopes, where it is more difficult for the grapes to ripen. The Cote de Nuits is further subdivided into eight village appellations. From north to south, they are Marsannay, Fixin, Gevrey-Chambertin, Morey St-Denis, Chambolle-Musigny, Vougeot, Vosne-Romanée and Nuits-St Georges. Marsannay & Côte-de-Nuits Villages At the northernmost end of the Côte de Nuits, Marsannay enjoys the distinction of being the only village in Burgundy with a dedicated rosé appellation. Marsannay is also developing a reputation for its red wines however. At the northern limit of Gevrey-Chambertin, the Côte-de-Nuits Villages appellation is centered around the villages of Brochon and Fixin. The latter also benefits from its own village appellation, including a handful of 1er cru vineyards, of which the Clos du Chapitre monopoly is the most renowned.

The reds from Fixin, and to a lesser degree Brochon, tend to be structured, showing a rather rugged character. The wines soften out with bottle age, while the aromas evolve towards earthy or animal notes. Gevrey-Chambertin It is the largest wine-producing village in the Côte de Nuits and can boast nine of the twenty-four Côte de Nuits Grands Crus. It produces red wines ranging in style from elegant, with soft tannins and a velvety smooth texture, to highly concentrated and powerful with firmer tannins generally found in the Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines. The 9 grands crus: Chambertin, Mazis-Chambertin, Griotte-Chambertin, Charmes-Chambertin, Chapelle-Chambertin, Mazoyères-Chambertin, Ruchottes-Chambertin, Latricières-Chambertin, Chambertin-Clos de Bèze. Morey-Saint-Denis & Chambolle-Musigny Boasting a range of brilliant vineyards, exemplified by the four Grand Crus of Clos de la Roche, Clos St.

Denis, Clos des Lambrays, and Clos de Tart; Morey-Saint-Denis strikes a balance between the rich, structured wines of Gevrey-Chambertin to the north, and the perfumed finesse of the Chambolle-Musigny appellation to the south. In fact, Bonnes-Mares, another Grand Cru vineyard, is actually shared between Morey-Saint-Denis and the latter. The powerful reds produced from this vineyard are rather atypical of Chambolle-Musigny however, whose only other Grand Cru vineyard, Le Musigny, is reputed as one of the most delicate, elegant Pinot Noirs in Burgundy, and therefore the world. This can be true of Chambolle-Musigny's 19 Premier Crus vineyards as well, in particular Les Charmes and Les Amoureuses, whose silky character is due to the particularly chalky nature of the soils. Vougeot This appellation produces medium to full-bodied red wines with an intense concentration.

The village is most often associated with its single Grand Cru vineyard, Clos de Vougeot, sweeping up from the main road to the celebrated chateau that stands within it. Because it is the largest of the Grand Crus and contains varied soils, the quality of its wines is somewhat uneven. What started as a few vines planted by Cistercian monks in the 12th century is now among the most famous Grand Crus in Burgundy. The chateau serves as the headquarters of the Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, a fraternity of winemakers established in 1934. Banquets and an annual tasting are held here. Vosne-Romanée Vosne-Romanée produces stylish red wines, and is home to some of the most prestigious vineyards in Burgundy including the Romanée-Conti, arguably the most famous and valuable vineyard in the world. The appellation of Vosne-Romanée includes a range of brilliant Premiers Crus and Grands Crus vineyards of La Tâche, Grande Rue, Richebourg, La Romanée, Romanée-Conti and Romanée-Saint-Vivant.

Nuits-St-Georges The appellation has no Grands Crus but an impressive list of twenty-seven Premiers Crus. The reds of Nuits-St-Georges vary greatly, depending on the location in which the grapes are grown. At the village level, elegant wines with soft tannins are produced, whereas the Premier Cru wines are full bodied with ripe to firm tannins and wonderful concentration. In great vintages, the flavors of these sturdy, earthy, red wines can take as long as 20 years to reach their peak. COTE DE BEAUNE REGION The Côte de Beaune vineyards curve gracefully around the small city of Beaune and continue south. While they produce a variety of impressive reds, the Côte de Beaune is renowned for its extraordinary whites from the Chardonnay grape. The main wine villages in the Côte de Beaune, from north to south are Aloxe-Corton, Beaune, Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet. The Hautes-Côtes de Beaune vineyards have earned a good reputation for both red and white burgundies.

Beaune Unofficial capital of Burgundy, the medieval town of Beaune is home to most of Burgundy's best-known wine merchants, and to the famous 15th-century "Hôtel-Dieu" recognizable by its multi-color tiled roof. The Beaune appellation itself produces mainly red wines from the Pinot Noir grape, but also some fine whites. Most of these wines are made in a softer style with less tannin allowing them to be consumed young. There are no Grands Crus here, but a large number of the vineyards of the appellation have been granted Premier Cru status. The sale of wines from the Hospices de Beaune vineyards, which takes place each year on the third Sunday in November, is the biggest charity wine auction in the world. Pommard and Meursault Despite Pommard's position, between Beaune and Volnay, its wines bear little resemblance to the light, delicate wines of either of those two appellations. Instead, these powerful red are among the richest and most tannic in Burgundy, and are definitely worth waiting for. Pommard's richer soils deliver heady, dark, and sometimes rustic reds.

Although there are no Grand Crus, some feel that certain Premier Crus produced here can be equal in quality. Meursault. Renowned for its sumptious white wines, the large village of Meursault is among the favorites of Chardonnay fans. There is almost as much white wine produced here as in all the other villages combined, and while there are no Grands Crus here, the exceptional Premiers Crus of Les Perrieres or Les Charmes are widely accepted to be worthy of such a status. Most of the wine is produced in a rich style, whith the oak influence integrating perfectly over time to enhance the apple, hazelnut and buttery flavors for which Meursault is so famous for. Puligny and Chassagne-Montrachet The wonderful Premier and Grand Cru vineyards belonging to these villages often adjoin one another, and it is not always easy to tell them apart. The primary difference between the two villages is that only a very small proportion of the wine produced in Puligny-Montrachet is red, in contrast to nearly half of that from Chassagne-Montrachet.

Flourishing in the pebbly limestone soils of Puligny-Montrachet, the Chardonnay vine is king and this small appellation of gently sloping vineyards is home to four of the greatest dry white Grands Crus in the world: Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet, Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet and Bâtard-Montrachet. Cote de Beaune Wine Regions Cote de Beaune Cote de Beaune Wine The Cote de Beaune is a key wine-producing district in Burgundy , eastern France. It is named after its main town, Beaune – the epicenter of local wine production and commerce. Famed for producing some of the world's most expensive white wines (most of which bear the name Montrachet in some form or other), the district is also responsible for a handful of Burgundy's top red wines, particularly those from the premier cru vineyards of Pommard and the grand cru Corton. As is the case for most of Burgundy, white wines are made from Chardonnay , the reds from Pinot Noir .

A narrow strip of land less than 3 miles (5km) wide, and running for 16 miles (25km) in a north-easterly direction, the Cote de Beaune's main vineyard area is almost precisely the same size and shape as its northern counterpart, the Cote de Nuits . Together these two make up the wider Cote d'Or, a region named after and characterized by the Cote d'Or limestone escarpment which forms its backbone. The importance of this escarpment to Cote de Beaune viticulture is hard to understate; not only does it protect the vineyards from prevailing westerly winds, it also provides gently sloping, free-draining vineyard sites with near-perfect south and south-easterly aspects . The Cote de Beaune, over Auxey-Duresses (© BIVB / Muzard J.P.) The Cote de Beaune's most favored vineyards are those on the slopes of the Cote d'Or. The limestone-rich soils and sunny exposure in these sites make for excellent ' terroir ', the intricacies of which have been meticulously studied and detailed for many generations.

It is the intimate knowledge of the land, and of the wine it can generate, which underpins the classification of the local land into premier cru and grand cru categories (see Burgundy wine label information ). The eastern flank of the Cote d'Or escarpment is dotted by a neat line of wine-producing villages, some separated by less than one mile, all entirely encircled by vines. Eighteen of these have their own 'village' appellations (e.g. Puligny-Montrachet or Pommard ), with a carefully defined list of premier cru vineyards (e.g. Les Pucelles in Puligny-Montrachet and Les Rugiens Bas in Pommard). Some vineyards are so highly regarded that they have their own independent grand cru appellation. The Cote de Beaune's grand cru sites are divided neatly into two sections: in the south are the various Montrachet sites (of which the most prestigious is Le Montrachet ) which specialize in white wines; in the north is the hill of Corton , which specializes almost exclusively in red wines.

In addition to these appellations which focus on relatively small areas (vineyards or villages), there is the district-wide Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune appellation. This broader, less quality-driven title is available to red, white and rosé wines from all over the district, but in practice it is claimed mostly by wines from less prestigious vineyards on the western side of the Cote d'Or. There is also a Cote de Beaune appellation, which one might expect to cover the whole district. Somewhat confusingly, it does not. Instead, it covers just a thin strip of land on the upper slopes of the cote above Beaune town. The remaining 90% of the cote below this (and some of the flatter land below) is covered by the Beaune appellation. There is very little documentation to explain the existence of this somewhat superfluous Cote de Beaune appellation. It was created in July 1937, just ten months after the Beaune appellation, and is barely used today. The climate of the Cote de Beaune is continental , with slightly higher temperatures and rainfall than in the Cote de Nuits .

Springtime frosts are a danger, and can do extensive damage to the vines during the delicate stages of budding and flowering. Various techniques are employed to counter this threat, from wood-burning braziers amid the vine rows to helicopters hovering overhead to generate frost-preventing air movement. Hail and strong winds are also a threat to the vines here. In the unseasonable and disastrous storms of July 2013, some producers lost up to 70% of their potential crop. Unfortunately there is very little that can be done to prevent or cure such damage. Although Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are by far the dominant grape varieties in the Cote de Beaune's vineyards, other varieties can be found here and there, particularly Aligote , Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris . The latter pair are permitted in the wines of most local appellations (even those specializing in red wines), although the global popularity of their more famous cousins (these varieties all share a common ancestry) mean that their plantings are on the decline.

Last updated 30-Jul-2013 C�te d'Or, C�te de Beaune, C�te de Nuits - DiWineTaste Issue 43, Summer 2006 Côte d'Or, Côte de Beaune, Côte de Nuits Heart of the enological excellence of Burgundy, Côte d'Or is the indisputable homeland of extraordinary Pinot Noir wines and prestigious Chardonnay wines If you are thinking about Pinot Noir or Chardonnay, it is therefore impossible not to associate these two grapes with a specific area of Burgundy, with a name full of promise and of good auspice: Côte d'Or. Despite its literally translation is Gold Slope, indeed its name is the abbreviation of Côte d'Orient, that is Eastern Slope. Côte d'Or includes four wine areas, of which the most important and famous ones are Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune.

Despite these two areas are famous for their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines, Côte de Nuits, in the northern part of Côte d'Or, is mainly known for its Pinot Noirs, whereas Côte de Beaune, in the southern part, is mainly known for its Chardonnays, although it should be remembered in this area are produced excellent Pinot Noirs as well. In the Côte d'Or are also defined two other wine areas: Châtillon - north from the Côte de Nuits - and the Hautes-Côtes, defined both for the Beaune and Nuits areas. Côte d'Or, despite its small area covering a narrow strip of territory about 50 kilometers long (about 31 miles), is the most famous wine area of Burgundy and among the most renowned ones of France. The cultivation of vine and the production of wine in these lands is dated back to ancient times. When ancient Romans came to Burgundy in 51 BC, the territory was already occupied by Celts who practiced viticulture and therefore the production of wine. Archaeological researches in these areas suggest the production of wine in Burgundy was practiced since 200 BC.

Wine was however an important element even at those times, besides the findings of ancient local wine amphoras, archaeological diggings have allowed the finding of Etruscan amphoras, a sign of the commercial activity of the ancient people from central Italy in these lands. The first written evidences about Burgundian wine are dated back to 312 AD. The Côte d'Or Burgundian wine and its quality are mentioned in 591 AD, in a writing of Gregory of Tours who in his History of Franks, wrote in the hills west from Dijon were produced such noble wines which could be compared to Falerno, one of the most praised and famous wines at those times. During the dominion of Charlemagne, viticulture and production of wine in Côte d'Or lived high moments of splendor, in particular thanks to the activity of Benedictine monks. Despite the vine was cultivated in every place, the privileged conditions of monasteries, in particular the availability of underground cellars suited for keeping, allowed monks to excel, in a systematic and methodic way, in the production of wine: their contribution in wine making, here as it was everywhere, has been fundamental.

The first monks to buy vineyards were the Benedictines of Cluny. With the building of the abbey of Cluny in 910 AD, the monastic order spread in the main European countries, and the interest for vine and wine was always a characteristic that came with them. Thanks to the donations of nobles and well-offs, in 1273 the abbey of Cluny owned all the vineyards around Gevrey. Another abbey who owned famous vineyards was the one of St.-Vivant. In 1232 the duchess of Burgundy gave to this abbey the famous vineyards of Romanée-Conti. La Romanée, La Tâche, Richebourg and Romanée-St-Vivant: vineyards which are still today considered among the most prestigious ones in Côte d'Or. The abbey of St.-Vivant also owned vineyards in Pommard, Auxery and Santenay. Another monastic order which played a fundamental role in viticulture and in the wine making of Burgundy was the one of Cistercians, founded in the city of Cîteaux, not very far from Nuits-St-George.

Their first vineyard was acquired in 1098, thanks to the donation of the duke of Burgundy and, despite the order practiced austerity and asceticism, they soon began to acquire vineyards. In 1336 Cistercians owned vast vineyards in the areas of Vougeot, Beaune, Chambolle, Fixin and Pommard. In particular, they built a wall encircling their vineyards at Vougeot, therefore giving origin to the renowned Clos de Vougeot. Thanks to the work of Cistercian monks - done with a scrupulous activity of experimentation and comparison - they finally arrived to the concept of terroir, which is kept in a high consideration by French vintners, as well as the study of the differences among the many crus. Up to the fifteenth century, because of the difficulties of transportation, which in these lands could be done by land only, the most famous wines of Côte d'Or - and of Burgundy - were the ones from the Beaune area. The wines which seemed to be successful were the ones produced in the areas near the rivers: the ease with which they could be transported represented a huge advantage.

The notoriety of Côte d'Or and Burgundy wines increased in the twelfth century, when pope Clemente V moved the papal court to Avignon. The request for wines from Beaune - that is wines from Burgundy - increased and with that their prestige as well, and they were soon considered to be second to nothing. Another important event which contributed to increase the prestige of the wines from this region, was the predilection the dukes of Burgundy had for them. it is right to this period the first mention of Pinot Noir is dated back, at those times called Noirien. it is more likely, the wines produced at those times in Burgundy were made with Formenteau grape, a variety today considered the ancestor of Pinot Gris. Chardonnay - which is today the most representative and common grape in Burgundy - will enter the wine scene of the region during the Middle Age only. It should be noticed at those times, wines were generally consumed during the first year from harvesting, therefore there was no custom of aging wines.

The fame of Côte de Nuits wine was already high in 1728, as it was mentioned in Claude Arnoux's Dissertation on the situation of Burgundy, in which are mentioned the rose wines of Volnay, whereas white wines from Côte de Beaune are marginally mentioned. The notoriety of Côte d'Or was stopped in 1878, when in vineyards arrived phylloxera. In 1855, Dr. Lavalle published his History and statistics of Côte d'Or in which was included an informal classification of the best vineyards. His work was formalized in 1861 when it was introduced the classification of vineyards in three categories. Finally, in 1930, with the introduction of the Appellation Côntrolée system, the current classification of Burgundy and Côte d'Or wines was introduced. Classification of Côte d'Or Wines of Côte d'Or, just like the ones of Burgundy, are classified according to the French Appellation Côntrolée system.

As opposed to Bordeaux wine region, where quality is defined according to the historical and traditional prestige of the many châteaux, in Burgundy the classification is based on the quality recognized to regions, villages and single vineyards. The lowest level is reserved to regional appellations, such as Bourgogne AC, Beaujolais AC or Chablis AC. The next quality level is reserved to villages, that is reserved to areas inside the territory in communes of specific towns, such as Pommard, Volnay, Gevrey-Chambertin or Meursalt. The two next levels are reserved to the highest quality and are both destined to single vineyards of historical and documented quality. The first one of these two levels is Premier Cru followed by the highest level of quality Grand Cru, reserved to very few vineyards of Burgundy from which traditionally come wines of exceptional quality. Wines belonging to this class have in the label the name of the vineyard and the mention Grand Cru. All the vineyards classified as Grand Cru in Burgundy are found in Côte d'Or and in Chablis.

Just like all the other wine classification systems used in other countries, the highest level does not always ensure the best quality and Burgundy makes no exception. Because of historical facts and French laws concerning succession of lands, many of the Grand Cru belong to different owners - each of them owning few hectares - producing very different quality levels. For this reason, it is always good to consider quality in function of the producer instead of the category: in fact, it is not rare to find Premier Cru wines having a superior quality than a Grand Cru. Côte de Nuits villages in which are defined Grand Cru vineyards are: Gevrey-Chambertin, Morey St.-Denis, Chambolle-Musigny, Vougeot, Flagey-Echézeaux and Vosne-Romanée. The ones in Côte de Beaune are defined in the villages of Pernand-Vergelesses, Ladoix-Serrigny, Aloxe-Corton, Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet.

Production Areas The Côte d'Or is located in the northern part of Burgundy, in the outskirts south from Dijon, and covers an area of about 50 kilometers (about 31 miles), reaching the neighboring of Santenay, in a pretty narrow strip of territory. The northern part is defined as Côte de Nuits, from the name of the city of Nuits-St.-George, and in which are almost exclusively produced red wines, whereas the southern part is the Côtes de Beaune, from the name of the city of Beaune, and in which are being produced both white and red wines. The main grapes of Côte d'Or are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, however in the area are also found Aligoté and Gamay grapes. The soil composition in Côte d'Or is mainly limestone, particularly suited for the cultivation of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varieties. The areas from which come Premier Cru and Grand Crus wines are all located at altitudes from 250 and 300 meters (820-985 feet), whereas at higher altitudes are being produced lighter wines, generally belonging to village appellation.

Côte de Beaune In the Côte de Beaune are produced both white wines, from Chardonnay grapes, and red wines, from Pinot Noir grapes. The area is however famous for its white wines and it is from Côte de Beaune which come the best Chardonnay wines of Burgundy. Hear are in fact found the famous Grand Cru of Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet, Bienvenue-Bâtard-Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet, Corton-Charlemagne and Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet. Also the red wines of Côte de Beaune are of high quality - in particular the ones from Corton - however they are considered of less value than the ones from Côte de Nuits. As opposed to the red wines from Côte de Nuits, the ones from Côte de Beaune are characterized by a smoother roundness and more immediate organoleptic qualities. Among the most famous areas of Côte de Beaune from which are being produced red wines, are mentioned Aloxe-Corton, Beaune, Volnay and Pommard.

White wines from Côte de Beaune are characterized by a surprising organoleptic richness and body, with aromas frequently recalling honey, hazelnut, vanilla and - sometimes - truffle. Côte de Nuits Côte de Nuits is indisputably the worldwide homeland of the best Pinot Noir red wines. In this area is also produced a small quantity of white wines from Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc grapes. The red wines from Côte de Nuits have a higher structure and organoleptic complexity than the ones from Côte de Beaune and are considered the best Pinot Noirs of Burgundy and of the world. Here are in fact located the famous Grand Cru areas of Bonnes Mares, Le Chambertin, Chambertin Clos-de-Bèze, Clos de La Roche, Clos de Vougeot, Grands Echézeaux, Le Musigny, Richebourg, Romanée-Conti and Lâ Tache. Despite Côte de Nuits is a pretty narrow territory, the diversity of its terroirs is vast and rich.

To this are also added the vinification techniques adopted by producers in order to increase body and complexity of their wines, such as, for example, pressing and, in particular, the specific philosophy adopted by every producer for aging. Recently it has been introduced cold maceration of grapes before fermentation, a practice which is followed by many producers which however has strong detractors in the ones supporting a production obeying to the traditional model. Despite these little disputes among producers, an aspect which remains indisputable of Côte de Nuits, is that here are being produced the best Pinot Noirs of the world. A guide to Burgundy wine — FermentedGrape.com Grand Crus: Le Chambertin, Chambertin Clos de Bèze, Mazis-Chambertin, Latricières-Chambertin, Ruchottes-Chambertin, Griottes-Chambertin, Chapelle-Chambertin, Charmes-Chambertin Premiers Crus: Combe au Moine, les Cazetiers, Estournelles St Jacques, Clos St Jacques, Aux Combottes Morey St.

Denis Grand Crus: Clos.St-Denis, Bonnes Mares, Clos de la Roche, Clos des Lambrays, Clos de Tart Premier Crus: Les Ruchots, La Bussière, La Faconnières Chambolle Musigny Grand Crus: Musigny, Bonnes Mares Premiers Crus: Les Amoureuses, Les Beaux-Bruns, Les Cras, Les Fuées, Les Véroilles Vougeot Grand Cru: Clos du Vougeot Vosne Romanée Premier Crus: Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, Richebourg, Romanée Saint-Vivant, La Romanée, La Grande Rue Premiers Crus: Aux Raignots, Les Chaumes, Les Suchots, Aux Brûlées, Les Beaux Monts, Combe Brûlée Flagey-Echézeaux (sold under name of Vosne Romanée) Grands Crus: Echézeaux, Grands-Echézeaux Premier Crus: Les Cailles, Les Vaucrains, Les St Georges, Aux Murgers, Aux Boudots Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Crus: Les Lavières, Aux

 Vergelesses, Les Narbantons, Les Grands Liards, Les Perrières, Les Fourneux Beaune Premiers Crus: Clos des Mouches, Les Greves, Les Perrières, Clos du Roi, Les Cras, Les Bressandes Pommard Premiers Crus: Epenots, Les Jarollières, Fremiers, Les Charmots, Les Combes, Les Pézerolles Volnay Premier Crus: Champans, Les Caillerets, Les Angles, Clos des Chênes, Clos de la Pousse d'Or, Les Pluchots, La Gigotte Decoding Burgundy wine Red wines from Burgundy are dominated by the Pinot Noir grape with its light colour, medium body, low levels of tannin, high acidity giving freshness and a deep, earthy nose with a characteristic cherry, raspberry aroma.

As the wine develops autumnal aromas increase with a smell reminiscent of woodland undergrowth which can develop further to game notes. A top Burgundy Pinot will have a lovely nose and serving the wine at around 14-17°C will maximise the aroma, too warm and the quality of the experience will be compromised. Many wine drinkers serve Pinot Noir based wine far too warm which stifles the aromas and true flavours of the best wines. Côte de Nuit red wines are generally more tannic than Côte de Beaune's giving them more body and making them "heavier" or more "masculine" in character . The wines from Nuits-St-Georges are the most tannic meaning that a degree of maturing is needed to soften them and give them the necessary texture. Chambolle-Musigny wines are very light but are highly fragranced. Vosne Romanée wines attract huge prices because of their ability to give a velvety palate which means that they have a soft, textured finish and a powerful nose. The best examples of Burgundy reds avoid the trademarks of poorly produced Pinot Noir.

Bad Burgundy lacks body and fruit notes with an over expression of harsh tannin and is likely caused by the wine producer attempting to increase yields which causes under ripening of the grape (so called green grapes). The best Burgundy red's have a low vineyard yield of 35-40 hl/ha. White Burgundy uses the Chardonnay grape with the most famous example being Chablis in the northern part of the region with its cooler climate vineyards producing their trademark refreshing, mineral, stony flavours. In contrast the most southern region, Mâconnais, has a warmer climate than Chablis and is able to produce more rich, fruity whites with higher levels of alcohol with a great example being the Pouilly-Fuissé appellatio. This shouldn't be confused with Pouilly-Fumé, which is an Appellation d'origine contrôlée for the dry white wine produced around Pouilly-sur-Loire in the Loire area. Description of Burgundy styles by appellation Chablis - Chardonnay based whites with a fresh style and mineral rather than fruity notes.

With relatively harsh winters, spring frosts and hot summers somewhat moderated by the river Serein, and with the dominant soil being Kemmeridgian limestone like the Champagne region this unique terroir is responsible for the distinctive Chablis crispness. Gevrey-Chambertin - robust, rich style Pinot Noir's with good balance and elegance from the best examples Morey St Denis - Like Gevrey but a little less rich Chambolle-Musigny - Highly fragranced Pinot Noir with a lighter style than Gevrey Chambertin Vosne Romanée - Described as the the silkiest, most fragranced red of the area Marsannay - Light Pinot Noir and Chardonnay plus rose Nuits-St-Georges - The Southern part of the village has powerful Pinot's with firm tannin structures and are described as more masculine, the Northern part are softer. Savigny-les-Beaune - Pinot Noir with a light touch with less fragrance than say a Gevrey. Beaune - Balanced Pinot Noir's that are described as easy drinking then many examples from the Côte de Nuits.

Whites are filled with floral aromas as well as apple and pear. Volnay - Light style red's with a smooth palate Pommard - Closer to the Côte de Nuits style with more intensity than a Beaune with plenty of tannins and a pronounced structure Mersault - Rich chardonnay based whites with buttery notes Puligny-Montrachet - Floral and mineral whites with Chablis like freshness Chassagne-Montrachet - Rustic style reds, delicate whites Mâconnais - rich, more alcoholic whites with citrus peel, honey and herby notes but with a good structure and freshness Burgundy Vintage report 2014 - A very mild spring, mid-August to harvest was perfect but hail in late June destroyed at least a third of the grapes in Meursault and Pommard with some vineyards losing almost all their crop. However, harvesting in September took place in almost perfect conditions though final yields were down on the best years in many appellations though with ripe grapes a real bonus. In conclusion better than the recent poor years but far from the best. 2013 - A cold spring delayed flowering and led to uneven ripening.

Hail (particularly in the Côte de Beaune) and summer downpours impacted growers, but good weather in September allowed a small crop of balanced fruit with good potential. Quality is very uneven so careful selection is critical with the vintage often showing examples which may be delicate, some would describe as elegant but others as green, lacking nose, under ripe and insubstantial. Certainly not the best year in Burgundy by a long way. 2012 - A wet summer across Europe produced difficult conditions for wine producers in France, with mildew and rot issues with conditions across Burgundy very mixed and unpredictable. Hail, a cool start to the year, very got days in summer and plenty of thunderstorm meant very low volumes of variable quality but on the whole results were good if not spectacular. 2011 - Fairly poor quality with plenty of rot as the weather disappointed with storms, hail and changeable temperatures. Pinot Noir quality can be good but careful selection is needed and quantities were small. Whites can be extra fresh and mineral. 2010 - A cold and wet year but despite low yields ripening of grapes was good with some solid days of sunshine.

Some very good quality - especially in the Côte de Nuits - but volumes up to a third lower than average. Delicate, perfumed reds with silky tannins and taut, expressive whites. 2009 - A great growing season in Burgundy with no hail damage, dry weather and consistent warmth. Low acidity and ripe tannins producing lovely Pinot Noir, similar to 1990 and 2005. Very consistent across Burgundy with lower quality vineyards still producing very good Pinot Noir, so a good year to find wines from less popular growers. 2008 - A poor year for Burgundy with a wet cold summer as well as hail producing low yields and low quality on the whole but a good burst of sunshine in late September sunshine saved the vintage. High acidity remains the hallmark of this vintage with a good degree of freshness in the whites and reds. Purity rather than structure is key to 2008 so careful selection is needed. 2007 - A rainy summer led to rot and an early harvest but with the Côte de Nuits fairing best. Medium to good quality on the whites with fairly light reds.

2006 - Poor summer with vine health problems produced wines which at their best are very pure and expressive and at their worst just a bit too austere for comfort. But on the whole a well balanced vintage with medium body and fruit, ripe tannins. Good to very good quality is possible. 2005 - A very good vintage with a sunny summer producing a near normal crop of good quality grapes. The best vintage since 1978 with low yields and intense, elegant reds and whites. 2004 - Large vintage of far from flashy but pretty serviceable and certainly good value wines. Relatively light and crisp, for early drinking though the best may surprise in the long run. 2003 - A small proportion of monumental wines from old vines were produced this heatwave year, but generally the frail Pinot Noir grape suffered raisining and made some very unusual wines indeed, some of which provide good, luscious drinking at about five years old but dry tannins are expected to make their presence increasingly felt. 2002 - Good vintage. Summer was not especially hot, though it was reasonably dry. Sugar levels were boosted in September but some grapes were adversely affected by scattered rains then.

Sugar levels were quite respectable in the end and most wines showed their charms at an early stage. 2001 - Wet summer with some heat spikes. As for red Bordeaux from this vintage, a gentle hand was needed in the winery to retain delicacy and not emphasize the already notable tannins. Quite varied quality. Wines from low-yielding grapes will provide exciting long-term drinking but others are gawky. August hail in Volnay. 2000 - A difficult vintage for growers, with rain and rot during harvest. Rather soft, easy wines that were more successful in the Côte de Nuits than in much of the Côte de Beaune. Useful early drinking but showing signs of losing fruit by 2008.

Berry Bros Burgundy Wine Maps For wine maps of the Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune, Mâconnais and Chablis go to Examples of good Burgundy producers CHABLIS Domaine William Fèvre, Jean-Marc Brocard COTE DE NUITS: MARSANNAY Tourism in Beaune, Nuits-Saint-Georges, & Pouilly-en-Auxois | Burgundy Eye Connect Beaune Beaune, the capital of Burgundy wines boasts an impressive array of accommodation, restaurants, wines and events shown on Burgundy Eye under the Beaune area listings. • Beaune • Nuits-Saint-Georges • Pouilly-en-Auxois • Saint-Jean-de-Losne • Santenay The Beaune Area covers the zones north and south of Beaune and includes the towns and villages of: Nuits-Saint-Georges, Nolay, Bligny-sur-Ouche, Arnay-le-Duc, Pouilly-en-Auxois, Liernais, Seurre and Saint-Jean-de-Losne. Hotels Beaune The Beaune hotels selection displays full details of hotels in Beaune the area of southern Côte d’Or.

They range from chateaux to small family-run establishments, from town centre locations to rural retreats. There is something for everyone. Bed & breakfast Beaune For bed and breakfast in Beaune and its environs see our featured selection of B&B accommodation. The guide provides everything you need to know to make an informed choice when visiting this world famous wine producing region. Campsites and caravan parks Beaune The Beaune area hosts some beautiful campsites. In the guide you will find details of campsites in Beaune as well as other sites the area. Some are close to towns, others bask on riverbanks, full descriptions and photos of the sites in this winegrowing region are available. Holiday rentals Beaune Holiday rentals in Beaune and area can be found in the holiday home section of Burgundy Eye. Holiday rentals in Beaune offer an excellent selection of self-catering options in Burgundy, from town houses to beautiful hideaways among the vineyards. Restaurants Beaune This guide offers a superb range of restaurants in Beaune as well as in the surrounding towns and villages.

With some of the best eateries in Burgundy, Beaune restaurants serve many traditional dishes like escargots and jambon persillé, the area has a reputation for fine cuisine accompanied by its excellent wines. Beaune wine Burgundy Eye is a major source of information about Beaune wine . This area, situated among vineyards of international repute, includes many winemakers and wine merchants with numerous wine tours and a vast range of tasting opportunities along the wine routes and the Côte de Beaune. Get full details from the Beaune wine guide. Beaune sights & attractions Sightseeing in Beaune? Check out the Burgundy Eye selection of featured attractions in Beaune . Discover picturesque villages, historic buildings (like the Hospices de Beaune), a myriad of chateaux and world famous vineyards. There are also museums, art galleries and music festivals (including jazz and baroque) as well as rivers, lush parks and gardens, all listed with useful information. Beaune leisure activities Burgundy Eye provides extensive details of leisure activites in Beaune and in the surrounding area.

Details of holiday and local tour organisers in and around Beaune are published on Burgundy Eye: including tours of Beaune, drifting over vineyards in a hot-air balloon or along a beautiful river. If you prefer a more active holiday why not try cycling, horse riding, walking tours among the vineyards or water sports and other activities. Or relax and unwind with health & beauty treatments. Articles about Beaune

Question: Which wine producing area of France is famous for wines such as Beaune and Nuits Saint-Georges?
Answer: Burgundy